“Start Quote

Housing is fundamental to delivering many of our goals as a progressive government”

End QuoteHuw Lewis AMHousing and regeneration minister

"Accreditation will secure full registration status, which is effectively a licence to operate as a private landlord in Wales," the white paper says.

Legislation will apply to all landlords and agents, regardless of how many properties they have.

The number of homes rented from private landlords in Wales has doubled in the past decade to 182,000 homes, or one in seven properties in Wales.

The white paper, a precursor to a new Housing Bill, describes the private rented sector as having "extremes" of good and bad practice.

Although there are good landlords, some tenants are put in difficult situations by unscrupulous operators, with some people enduring "poor conditions, insecurity and, sometimes, threats of eviction".

"The latter, combined with the lack of other options, means that many people, often vulnerable people, put up with the questionable practices of some landlords and lettings and management agents," it says.

"In some cases, it also includes questionable charges and costs."

'Hidden costs'

Councils have also reported lettings agents charging tenants and landlords "a variety of fees and sometimes hidden or unexpected costs".

Some 1,300 landlords have been trained or accredited since a voluntary landlord accreditation scheme was launched in 2008.

There is also a pledge to end family homelessness by 2019.

Officials say about 3,000 homeless families approach councils for help every year, but hope that many cases can be dealt with through getting rid of a so-called "intentionality test" by 2014.

The test is how councils decide whether someone can be blamed for losing their home, such as if they do not pay their rent when they can afford to or when they are evicted for anti-social behaviour. There is no duty on councils to provide accommodation in these situations.

Other measures in the White Paper include a pledge to tackle the "blight" of empty properties by giving councils the power to increase council tax on properties empty for longer than a year.

BBC links

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